| Washington D.C.- Last week, Democrat Leader Steny Hoyer (D- MD) and Democrat Conference Chairman Rahm Emanuel (D-IL) were all smiles at a press conference in which they made clear that Republicans would have the opportunity to propose a substantive alternative measure to their non-binding resolution on Iraq to be debated in the House of Representatives. Yet, in less than 48 hours, the House Democrats quickly changed their tune. Why?
WHAT THEY SAID LAST WEEK:
Democrat Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD): "The Republicans will be given either a substitute or a motion to recommit so that they can propose whatever substantive alternative that they choose. That will also be debated." (Press Conference, February 8, 2007)
Democrat Conference Chairman Rahm Emanuel: Republicans “are going to offer their alternative and we'll have a vote on that.” (Roll Call, February 8, 2007)
AND NOW?
Tim Russert: ‘Now, on Thursday, you said this: ‘The Republicans will be given either a substitute or a motion to recommit so that they can propose whatever substantive alternative that they choose. That will also be debated.’ Is that still your plan?”
Democrat Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD): “Not necessarily our plan, at this point in time….” (Meet the Press, February 11, 2007)
HMMM…. WHY THE SUDDEN CHANGE OF COURSE?
They might lose the vote.
Rep. Maxine Waters (D-CA) gave us a preview on Hardball with Chris Matthews (February 7, 2007):
· On War Funding: “I am absolutely opposed to continuing the funding of the war and am going to vote against funding [it]….. “I know there are other progressive members who are going to do it.”
· On the Democrat Non-Binding Resolution: “…that’s neither here nor there… the real test is whether or not you will continue to fund Bush’s war by voting for his appropriation.”
· On whether a majority of the Democrats would support a binding resolution to cut funding from the troops and military Operations in Iraq: “I don’t think so, our members are careful…That’s a tough one for them.”
According to the Associated Press, a substantial portion of the Democrat Conference agrees with Rep. Waters’s position: “More than 70 members of the House Progressive Caucus announced last week they favor a withdrawal over six months.”
Rep. Jim Moran (D-VA) says the non-binding resolution is only a first step: The Democrat non-binding Resolution “is only the bark. The real bite comes with the spending bill.” (Washington Post, 2/13/2007)
Democrat Majority Leader Steny Hoyer agrees: “This is a first step, not a last step, nor the only step. Appropriations bills are being considered. Authorization bills are being considered. There will be action beyond the resolution.” (Baltimore Sun, 2/13/2007)
Even Speaker Pelosi agrees: “This will only be the first step,” reports her hometown San Francisco Chronicle. (SFC, 2/13/2007)
The Democrat Leadership is not just muting Republicans; they are muting their own members.
Despite the fact that at least 70 Democrats and a majority of House Republicans want to debate and vote on funding our troops, the Democrat Leadership continues to block the majority of Congress.
The Democrat Leadership owes their constituents, American troops, and our nation a substantive vote on Iraq. Rep. Sam Johnson’s Bill (H.R. 511) to protect funding for America’s troops would allow the debate that America deserves.
The stakes are too high to waste time posturing.
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